How to Combat an Entitlement Mentality
In February 2019, a 27-year-old posted a viral video on YouTube. Wearing a fake beard and sunglasses, Raphael Samuel announced he was suing his parents because he was conceived without his consent. This was not a joke. Raphael grew up in India and felt he was entitled to payments for life, since he didn’t ask…
Continue Reading
Four Signs of the Times from the College Entrance Scandal
Something almost unbelievable just happened between parents and colleges in the U.S. It may be a sign of the times. Fifty people either bribed or bought their child’s admission into a prestigious university—simply because they could. All of them are affluent, and some of them are famous. Below is a summary of what happened. “The…
Continue ReadingFour Dangerous Parenting Styles Today
Just walk into any pre-school center and you’ll see that parents continue to evolve, even today in 2019. The variety of today’s parents is enormous. One teacher told me moms or dads will remain at the school until after the official start time, to make sure their child is safe and happy. Another administrator told…
Continue ReadingSeven Steps to Empower Your Students
When I learned to teach students, it was a different world. Forty years ago, I was much younger and my methods were more about one-way communication. It was all about lecture, drill, memorization and test. Today, students come from a different culture, but teachers are often still about “classroom management.” Students check out mentally; fall…
Continue ReadingFrom Controlling to Connecting with Students
I am writing all week on student empowerment. How do we fully engage students in a classroom, an athletic field, a work team or at home? I believe we must first realize this is a process of four steps. Progress evolves one step at a time with our young. Four Levels of Participation with Students…
Continue ReadingWhat We Must Do to Empower Students
More and more teachers today make a distinction between student engagement and student empowerment. It makes sense to me. Julie Diaz is the principal of Travis High School near Houston, Texas. She’s building young leaders within that student body—and discovered surprising things happen when educators do this. Two years ago, some of her students told…
Continue ReadingThe Truth About Ownership in Athletics Today
Most coaches I talk to today mourn the struggle they have with their young players taking “ownership” of the team. Why aren’t they more responsible? Why don’t they think for themselves? Why do they need me to confront poor behavior from teammates and not do it themselves? Where are all the leaders? My answer?…
Continue ReadingThree Facts You Need to Know to Connect with Generation Z
For more than 30 years now, I have been tracking generational trends and changes. At first I noticed how Generation X differed from the Baby Boomers during the 1980s. Then, I began noticing how Millennials were breaking with Gen Xers in 2000. Today—I’m watching how Generation Z (today’s high school and college students) is separating…
Continue ReadingArrogance: What to do When Your Students Know Everything
I recently ran across three examples of adults who’ve encountered arrogance in their students. One high school teacher smiled when she told me the most popular statement her students say to her every week is: “I know.” One athletic coach told me when he gave instructions on how to do a drill at practice, one…
Continue ReadingOne Solution to Spark Change in Your Students
Life changes fast. Sometimes we can see it change before our very eyes, but at other times, we must step back and observe. Consider this fact. Less than a hundred years ago, in my grandparents’ day, many Americans saw some realities in life differently. Less Than a Century Ago We… Felt cigarette smoking could provide…
Continue Reading
